At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive product strategy and commercial performance for Outdoor Leisure & Lifestyle.
- Company: Join Wilton Bradley, a leader in outdoor furniture innovation.
- Benefits: Creative environment, international travel, and growth opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for creativity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product development and market trends.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management or product development, especially in outdoor sectors.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Overview
As a Category Manager, you will be responsible for the commercial performance, product strategy and long-term development of our Outdoor Leisure & Lifestyle category.
You will work in partnership with one of the world's leading outdoor furniture manufacturers, acting as the voice of the UK and European market by providing market insight, identifying product opportunities and influencing the future development of products and innovations.
You will also work with a wider network of manufacturing partners to develop complementary product ranges and build a market-leading category offering.
Working alongside dedicated Product Developers, you will define product briefs, develop category strategies, identify new sourcing opportunities and bring innovative products to market.
You will have genuine influence over the products we develop, the suppliers we partner with and the future direction of one of our most exciting growth categories.
As the category expert, you will also play an important role in supporting our Commercial team.
You will help communicate product features, market trends and category opportunities, assist with product presentations to key retail customers and provide the technical and commercial knowledge needed to help secure new business and strengthen customer relationships.
This role combines category strategy, product creation, supplier partnership, customer engagement and commercial ownership, offering the opportunity to make a significant impact on both the future of the category and the continued growth of Wilton Bradley.
Responsibilities
- Act as the category expert for Outdoor Leisure & Lifestyle, providing product knowledge, commercial insight and strategic direction across the business.
- Develop and execute category strategies, identifying product opportunities, defining range architecture and positioning products to drive sales growth, profitability and market share.
- Analyse category performance, sales data and market trends to identify growth opportunities and shape future category direction.
- Provide market feedback and consumer insight to manufacturing partners, influencing future product development and innovation.
- Create and own product briefs for new development projects.
- Work closely with Product Developers, Designers and QA teams throughout the product development process.
- Source innovative products and manufacturing partners globally whilst developing strategic supplier relationships and negotiating commercial agreements.
- Contribute to long-term supplier strategy and category roadmaps.
- Deliver category margin, profitability and commercial performance targets.
- Analyse sales trends, forecasts and stock positions to develop purchasing strategies and purchase order proposals.
- Take ownership of category stock investment and inventory health, ensuring appropriate availability whilst optimising stock turn and profitability.
- Work closely with Commercial teams to balance availability, inventory risk and commercial performance.
- Work closely with Sales teams to communicate product features, category trends and customer opportunities.
- Support product presentations and customer meetings, helping showcase new products and category strategies to key retail partners.
- Attend UK and international trade shows, supplier visits and sourcing trips.
- Support the Buying Director and Product Director in shaping long-term category strategy, innovation roadmaps and strategic growth initiatives.
- Ensure adherence to Health & Safety guidelines and undertake any other duties required for the successful delivery of the role.
Qualifications & Experience
- Experience in buying, category management, product development, sourcing or a related commercial product role.
- Significant experience within the camping, garden, beach or outdoor leisure sectors, with a strong understanding of product trends, customer requirements and market dynamics.
- Strong commercial awareness, analytical capability and ability to interpret sales and market data.
- Passion for consumer products and product innovation.
- Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Strong Excel and IT skills.
- Experience working with Far East suppliers would be advantageous.
- Personal Qualities
- Entrepreneurial and commercially minded.
- Curious and passionate about products.
- Creative thinker with strong product instincts.
- Self-motivated and proactive.
- Comfortable making decisions and taking ownership.
- Strong problem solver.
- Able to work independently and collaboratively.
- Organised and capable of managing multiple priorities.
Why Join Wilton Bradley?
- Opportunity to influence and create products, not simply purchase them.
- Work within a creative and collaborative environment.
- International travel opportunities.
- Exposure to product development, sourcing and innovation.
- Opportunity to grow within a successful and ambitious business.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
CATEGORY MANAGER / SENIOR CATEGORY MANAGER employer: Wilton Bradley Ltd
Wilton Bradley is an exceptional employer that offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment, where you can truly influence product development in the Outdoor Leisure & Lifestyle category. With opportunities for international travel and exposure to innovative sourcing strategies, employees are encouraged to grow within a successful and ambitious business. The company values creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, making it an ideal place for those passionate about consumer products and looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land CATEGORY MANAGER / SENIOR CATEGORY MANAGER
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Wilton Bradley Ltd, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Wilton Bradley Ltd!
We think you need these skills to ace CATEGORY MANAGER / SENIOR CATEGORY MANAGER
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Wilton Bradley Ltd, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Wilton Bradley Ltd and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Wilton Bradley Ltd that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wilton Bradley Ltd
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
